A PUBWATCH scheme in Oxford is being revamped so all of its members can ban troublemakers instead of just one.

The voluntary scheme in east Oxford started two years ago to keep watch for problem customers.

But it has never really got off the ground because landlords can only ban troublesome drinkers from their own pub.

From September, member pubs will be able to vote on whether to bar anyone who persistently steps out of line from all participating licensed premises.

Last night Joe Roberts, chairman of East Oxford Pub Watch and manager of the O2 Academy in Cowley Road, said: “As a group of people we have the ability to influence the way people behave in the area we work to make it nicer to live, work and socialise in.

“The banning order scheme is the result of discussions within the group to give the smaller venues a bigger say.

“If someone is misbehaving in their pub they can get them banned from every venue in East Oxford. It gives a great sense of community within the area too.”

Pcso Jon Morley, of the East Oxford Neighbourhood Team, added: “We’ve got things in place now to move on with banning orders for persistent troublemakers.”

Mr Morley said evidence would be gathered on arrests and information from landlords who would decide whether to lodge an application for a ban.

He added: “All the members of the Pubwatch scheme will have a vote on whether they want to give the person a ban or not.”

There are 25 licensed premises in east Oxford and 20 are already signed up for Pubwatch.

The improved Pubwatch comes after police in east Oxford launched a new radio system for pubs, shops and clubs to help catch criminals.

Businesses have a radio each and can share information with each other and officers on issues of antisocial behaviour and crime.

Earlier in the year 17 Headington pubs also teamed up to form OX3 Pubwatch.

Mr Morley said a lot of reported crime was the result of alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

He said of the Pubwatch initiative: “It’s to show what kind of behaviour is acceptable when you come out for a night in east Oxford.”

George McPhillips, manager of the Old Black Horse, St Clement’s, used to be chairman of the city centre Pubwatch, when he ran the Crown in Cornmarket Street.

He is planning to join east Oxford’s Pubwatch.

Mr McPhillips said: “The city centre one worked really well because the managers stuck together and we usually knew who the lunatics were.

“I think for certain people, it is needed in east Oxford. If you ban someone from one pub, you are only putting the problem on to others.”

Across Oxfordshire, there are 16 Pubwatch programmes, covering the main county towns and villages.